Bro Russell's Comments

Hi Bro - what a pleasant surprise -  my telno: 860 460 9209  email jaybolton@comcast.net

Sorry, Alfie Fuller is not me, though I do vaguely remember him.

I am still trying to determine just when it was that I traveled on the Tabor Boy to Bermuda and Nassau. I think it must have been a summer cruise because I don't think both places would have been possible in a 2-3 week spring vacation cruise.

I definitely did receive your letter.

It meant more to me than you might know -- everything you said rings true when I think about what I have been learning on the schooner in the past four years. "drink in, demand, insist, seek, devour as much experience as you can" -- I wholeheartedly agree and I cannot thank you enough for the advice you gave me. I am certain I will dream of the schooner as soon as I step down after graduation. I will miss the experiences I have had more than anything else at Tabor and, again you are right, the way that Cap has enough courage to let us learn courage.  When I sat down to write a reply to your letter, I honestly felt as though I could not put everything I wanted to say into words. I am sorry to admit I put it off, for too long. So, I hope you read my most recent article in the Tabor Today -- I think you will like it. 

By the way, I shared your letter with the rest of the schooner crew.  I think they were humbled to hear about your experiences and they way the still affect you to this day.  It did not surprise me to hear how strong your memories are, but the younger crew members have not realized how incredible the Tabor Boy really is.  After listening to your words, I think they began to understand.

I hope I will be able to meet you and your wife at one of the receptions on the schooner for her 100th anniversary.  I will be aboard for all of them if you decide to come -- you would be very welcome.  If you are ever near Marion, let me know and you both should join us for a sail.

Until then -- fair winds!  And thank you.

Holly Francis

XO '14

SSV TABOR BOY

Hey Bro,  Perhaps you can help me.  I once went on the Tabor Boy to Nassau, and I think it was in the summer of '60, or perhaps '61.  I don't think it was a Spring cruise - Sophie Arnfield (Tabor Academy Archives,Charles Hayden Library) sent me newspaper articles of the '59, '60 and '61 Spring cruises, which list the crew.   Do you know anything about a summer cruise in '60 or '61?     Charles H Jacobus has asked about the Tabor Boy in the Bermuda Race in '60, but we sure weren't racing! (although I think we did, perhaps, stop in Bermuda).  Hope your memory's better than mine.